Posted on Monday 14th October 2024
Cllr Mark Sutton
Playing outside and visits to the park to play on the swings are high on the wish list for Staffordshire children looking for long-term foster carers.
The youngsters aged six and eight are just two of a number of children being highlighted by Staffordshire County Council in a bid to recruit more people willing to foster children who have communication challenges.
There is a significant demand for foster carers across Staffordshire, but especially for children with additional needs and disabilities, including those who are on the autistic spectrum.
The authority’s fostering service is looking for people who would be available for a young person around the clock and have either personal or professional experience in this area.
Support is available including regular planned short breaks, 24/7 out-of-hours advice, local support groups and comprehensive training.
In return for fostering full-time, a generous fostering fee of £572 per week is paid as soon as people are approved, allowing people to change career to foster. In addition, up to an extra £249 per week is paid once the child moves in.
Staffordshire foster carer Lisa said:
“Fostering a child with additional needs or a disability has some challenges, but they are definitely outweighed by the rewards you get when you build a relationship with the child and watch them grow and develop.
“You need to be able to communicate with children in different ways and be able to ‘think outside the box’, have lots of energy and patience. In return you get to discover a child’s unique personality and develop a close bond. For me it really is the best job ever.”
Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member responsible for Children and Families at Staffordshire County Council said:
“We are looking for more foster carers but we have a particular need for people who have experience of supporting or working with children who have additional needs or disabilities.
“There is lots of support available to our carers so you will never be on your own. If you are interested in finding out more about the children or fostering in general please get in touch with the fostering team.”
Children like T who enjoys playing outside and with a love for farm animals and tractors, is looking for a family who can offer him a calm caring home ideally in or around the Stafford area so he can stay in his current school. T was born with an additional chromosome, functions at an age younger than his actual age and his speech is delayed.
O is six years old and looking for a long-term family. He really loves swimming, walking in the park and playing on the swings. He likes playing with his cars and going outside in the rain to jump in puddles. O uses PECs cards to communicate and is doing well with these.
To find out more about how you can make a difference to children like T and O, please visit the Foster for Staffordshire website or call 0800 169 2061.